Check-out arrangement for self-service stores



J. B. HENNION 3,062,324 CHECK-OUT ARRANGEMENT FOR SELF-SERVICE STORES Nov. 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Aug. 18. 1958 INVENTOR JOSEPH B H ENNION ATTORNEYS United States Claims. c1. 186-1) This application is a division of my application Serial No. 755,751, filed August 18, 1958 (now abandoned).

My invention relates, in general, to merchandising establishments such as grocery stores and the like, of the self-service type and, more particularly, to a new and improved arrangement of a check-out counter for such establishments.

In my above referred to application there is disclosed a business establishment comprising a building having a sales floor and one or more processing and storage floors preferably above the sales floor, whereby merchandise may be processed and/or stored and handled on the storage floor apart from the sales floor, and in which merchandising units or dispensers, extending from the sales floor to the storage and processing room, are arranged to provide aisles in the sales room through which vehicles, such as shopping carts, may pass without interruption and whereby goods or articles of merchandise are properly displayed and may be dispensed. These merchandising units provide a means of displaying merchandise of various brands or types and are themselves provided with a means of being replenished from the storage or processing floor as the merchandise is sold. With such an arrangement, the store may be provided with playgrounds, restrooms and the like not heretofore found in such stores.

In such typical arrangement I contemplate by my present invention to provide a check-out arrangement having a checking and packaging station whereby during the unloading of shopping carts and packing of merchandise by a checker the customer is able to inspect the packages and to inspect the cash register amounts as the merchandise is being checked and packed. I have improved this check-out arrangement still further by a new and improved means whereby the checker may be continually supplied with conventional paper bags and the like, and whereby the checker may transport such bags to an unloading position making them conveniently available to the customer.

Accordin ly, it is an obiect of my invention to provide a new and improved check-out arrangement in store arrangements and particularly in store arrangements of the type described herein whereby the checking and packaging station is conveniently arranged both for the checker and the customer, which check-out arrangement is further provided with means for continually supplying the checker with bags for packing and whereby the packaged bags may be transported to an unloading position to be picked up hv the customer.

Other and more particular objects of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following descrintion and drawings forming a part thereof and wherein;

FIG. 1 is a semi-schematic perspective view of an entire self-service type store arrangement illustrating in various merchandising units, a meat conveying unit, and the checkout arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, illustrating to advantage the check-out arrangement of my invention having means for continuously supplying the checker with bags and the means for transporting filled bags to the unloading station;

atent G FIG. 3 is a plan view, partially broken away, to illustrate to advantage the check-out arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the check-out arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partial, detailed view of the transporting means for the packed bags illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

Turning now to the drawings, I have shown a selfservice type establishment with Which the check-out arrangement of this application has typical utility. The selfservice facility comprises a suitable building, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10, having a front wall 11 and a plurality of side and back walls, the left side wall 12 only being shown, and wherein there is provided suitable windows, doors, and the like. The building is preferably a two-story type with a lower or ground floor 13 for the sales or merchandising room and an upper or top floor 14 or storage room whereby any merchandise may be stored, processed, and packaged. The building is further provided with a merchandise receiving door 15 adjacent to the sales room 13 which opens out to an unloading platform (not shown).

The sales room is provided with a plurality of merchandising units, three of which units are shown at locations centrally in FIG. 1 at 17, 18 and 20. It can be seen that the units are so arranged to form aisles or passageways therebetween, whereby patrons with shopping carts, such as illustrated at 21, may pass.

Each of the individual merchandising units is so constructed and arranged to extend upwardly and through the upper floor 14, preferably so as to be of waist-high height to workers in the processing and storage room whereby they may be replenished with merchandise from the package floor 14.

In the store arrangement shown, merchandise unit 17 comprises a relatively long, relatively narrow structure having a plurality of vertically disposed serpentine racks for the storing and dispensing of commodities such as canned goods and the like.

The unit 18 is similar in its overall configuration to the unit 17, but is refrigerated and may include endless conveyors comprising suitable trays from which the customers may remove goods on the trays as they move past access openings conveniently disposed at about waist height at the front of the unit.

Unit 20 is similar to unit 17 except that it is substantially enclosed by glass panels and refrigerated so that articles on the serpentine racks therein may be maintained under refrigeration. The overall construction of the unit is in reality a combination of the unit 17 and the unit 18; the circuitous conveyor and trays of unit 18 bein replaced by the serpentine racks of unit 17.

The illustrated store arrangement further includes a' stationarv line of convevor tracks illustrated in its entirety at 80, affixed to the ceiling or wall of the store; having a part arranged to extend outwardlv th ough the door 15 and onto an unloading platform. On this track 80, there is provided a plurality of movable hooks on which workmen can place meat, such as slabs or quarters of beef. for transport from the unloading dock to processing room 96.

The several components above briefly referred to are described in full and complete detail in my above identified co-pending application and are included herein by reference to said application. However, for purposes of orientation of the check-out arrangement of this applicationv it is believed the above description suffices.

The check-out arrangement of this application is indicated in its entirety as and is illustrated in perspec- O tive in FIG. 1 and in detail in FIGS. 2 through 5. It will aisle 121 and which also serves as an unloading and checking station 122. The aisle 121 is defined by a conventional rail 123 and one side of cabinet or enclosure 124, to be described, and at or near the exit thereof the un ad shopping cart which may be telescoped, in the conventional manner, as illustrated at 125. A second aisle in the form of a reversed L, indicated in its entirety as 126, and defined by a curved rail 127 on one side and a curved rail 128 and unloading counter 130 on the other opens into the unloading station 122. The second aisle provides a means whereby a patron may watch the articles being placed in the paper bag, such as illustrated at 131, and whereby the tabulating cash register 132 may be under observation at all times. Thus a patron may walk thrOugh a portion of aisle 126 and, by taking a position indicated at 133, may watch the checker at all times. The checker is provided with a continuous supply of packing bags by a new and improved means yet to be described and, when a particular bag is full of articles such as bag 131 from the shopping cart 21, means are provided, as illustrated, to transport the bag to the far end of the counter at or near a position 134 whereby the bag may be conveniently taken and moved by the patron. Counter 130 and the means of transporting the bags from the check-out position to position 134 function as one unit as will be apparent.

Having thus described in general the check-out arrangement, attention is now directed to FIGURES 2, 3, 4 and wherein the details of the construction and operation of the various elements will now be described in detail. It is to be noted, however, that I have shown two such check-out arrangements arranged side by side where the rail of one is used for the next aisle for the shopping cart. As can be appreciated, any number of such checkout arrangements may be provided within the purview of those skilled in the art once having understood the inventive concept herein shown and described.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 through 5, it can be seen that the enclosure or cabinet 124 is illustrated in its elevational or side view in FIG. 2 and is provided with the counter 130 forming a part thereof slightly above the midway portion of side wall 135 of enclosure 124. The top 136 of the cabinet 124 is located preferably approximately the standard counter height which is slightly below the waist-high lever of the checker and the counter 130 is preferably located a foot or more below the top of the enclosure to accomomdate at least the lower half of the shopping bag 131, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Counter 130 is provided with a stationary portion 137 and 138 at each end of the counter and which is suitably aifixed to the side wall 135 of the enclosure 124. End portions 137 and 138 are each provided with a cut-away arcuate portion 140 (shown only in connection with the stationary end portion 137) each of which receives a roller 143, 144 of a diameter slightly less than the thickness of the end portions. A conventional conveyor belt means 145 is disposed about the rollers 143 and 144 to provide a conveyor counter functioning between the end portions 137, 138 and serve as the top for counter 130. It can be appreciated that movement of the belt 145 in one direction would serve to aid in transporting the bags from one position to another on the counter 130, as for example from left to right in FIG. 2, from unloading and checking station 122 to the unloading station 134. Suitable reinforcing means in the form of a plate 146 is disposed immediately below the top surface of the conveyor belt 145 to reinforce the belt against the weight of the bags as they are being moved, and the belt is substantially enclosed at its ends by a side wall 178 to provide the counter with an enclosed unitary appearance and to protect people from the inner working mechanisms thereof.

Above the counter 130 and substantially parallel thereto is an elongated oval slot or opening 147 having a long return leg 148 and a long forward leg 149 and curved ends 150, 151 which define a track for the bag gripping means, indicated in its entirety as 153.

Bag gripping means 153 comprises a circular, flexible, split ring-llik-e device 154, split as at 155, to provide two encircling arms for paper bags and the like placed at the unloading station as illustrated in FIG. 1. These rings 154 are pivotally connected to a U-shaped bracket means 156 (See FIG. 5) and 'by pin 157 and incorporate a spring actuating means 158 of the conventional type whereby the rings may take a position parallel to the top of counter as illustrated at FIG. 3 and when released will rotate to an upright position as illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 5. Bracket means 156 is in turn suitably connected to one of the links of a link chain 160 by a bolt means 161 whereby the bracket will move with the link chain 160 to be described.

As more clearly illustrated in the cut-away portion of FIGURE 4, link chain 160 is mounted to be moved by a shaft 162 which in turn is rotatably driven by still another link chain means 163. Rotation of the link chain means 163 will cause the chain 160 to rotate about a pair of sprockets (one shown in cross section at FIG. 5 and referred to as 164) whereby the bag gripping means 153 will be moved from one end of the track 147 to the other. Thus, as can be appreciated, rotation of the chain 160 will move the bag gripping means 153 first along the lower leg 149 from a position above the end 137 of the counter 13th to a position above the end 138 of the counter 130 and continued movement will cause the bag gripping means 153 to return along the upper leg 148 of the track. The ends 159, 1-51 of the track are curved to conform with the radius of the sprockets as can be appreciated and the spring arrangement of the bracket 156 permits one of the bag gripping means 153 to move to a vertical position so as to clear the movement of the lower one of the bag gripping means 153 with a bag therein.

The motive means for the link chain means 163 comprises still another link chain 165 operatively connected on the shaft 168 which in turn is afiixed to roller 144 and to a suitable source of power such as electric motor 178. Obviously, rotation of the motor shaft causes rotation of the shaft 168, which in turn moves the roller 144 as well as the link chain 160 and since the conveyor belt 145 .and roller 144- as well as the link chain 169 are driven from one source, the movement of the means 153 and the conveyor belt 145 will be in unison; the sizes of the various sprockets being selected to accomplish this result.

Thus, the checker having filled one of the bags such as illustrated at 131, may, with suitable switches located to be foot or hand actuated, move the loaded bag by the conveyor belt 145 and the bag gripping means 153 to a position 134 which will bring around another bag gripping means 153 ready for loading.

Turning now to FIG. 3, it can be seen that therein is provided a ram-like means 171 comprising a head 172 on a rod 173 actuated by a spring 174 (FIG. 2) to move a plurality of paper bags, indicated in their entirety as 175, towards an end wall 176 whereby they may be pulled upwardly through a slot 177 in the top 136 of the enclosure 124. The bags being in folded interlinking relationship with one another so as to provide a means of being continuously provided with bags one at a time as they are pulled through the slot 177. On the side of the enclosure 124 opposite the counter 134, I have provided a pair of sliding doors 178 whereby the supply of bags may be replenished when necessary. Slot 177 being conveniently located with respect to the unloading position, provides a convenient arrangement as can be appreciated.

From the above description of my invention of new and improved check-out counters, and the association thereof with merchandising units, and means of supplying an upper floor with merchandise which may be readily accessible to the lower sales floor, considerable savings in ground floor space is made, whereby the store arrangement may be provided with other desirable features such as rest rooms, indicated in its entirety as 180, and playgrounds for children (not shown) and other desirable facilities.

As illustrated in the lower le t-hand corner of the drawing in FIG. 1, the front wall 11 may be provided with a recess 190 whereby coin vending machines 191, 192 and 193 may be located which will permit a patron to have access to merchandise therein during the time that the store is closed.

It is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention and the invention is defined and comprehended solely by the appended claims which should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.

What I claim is:

1. In a store arrangement, means defining a check-out arrangement comprising means defining a first aisle, merchandise unloading station at one end of said first aisle whereby merchandise may be unloaded by a checker and placed in bags, means defining a second aisle, the entry of which is at the merchandise unloading station, means defining a movable counter between said first aisle and said second aisle, and means defining bag gripping means adjacent said movable counter for holding said bags in position on said movable counter, said movable counter and bag gripping means being adapted to move in unison to a bag unloading station, said arrangement being so constructed and arranged to permit patrons to continuously observe the merchandise unloading station.

2. In a store arrangement, means defining a check-out arrangement Comprising means defining a first aisle, merchandise unloading station at one end of said first aisle whereby merchandise may be unloaded by a checker and placed in bags, means defining a second aisle, the entry of which is at the merchandise unloading station, means defining a movable counter between said first aisle and said second aisle, means defining bag gripping means adjacent said movable counter for holding said bags in position on said movable counter, said movable counter and bag gripping means being adapted to move in unison to a bag unloading station, said arrangement being so constructed and arranged to permit patrons to continuously observe the merchandise unloading station, and means for providing said checker with a supply of bags adjacent the merchandise unloading station.

3. In a store arrangement, means defining a check-out arrangement comprising means defining a first aisle, merchandise unloading station at one end of said first aisle whereby merchandise may be unloaded by a checker and placed in bags, means defining a second aisle, the entry of which is at the merchandise unloading station, means defining a movable counter between said first aisle and said second aisle, means defining bag gripping means adjacent said movable counter for holding said bags in position on said movable counter, said movable counter and bag gripping means being adapted to move in unison to a bag unloading station, said arrangement being so constructed and arranged to permit patrons to continuously observe the merchandise unloading station, and said bag gripping means further having means connected thereto to return it to its position adjacent the merchandise unloading station.

4. In a store arrangement, means defining a check-out arrangement comprising means defining a first aisle, merchandise unloading station at one end of said first aisle whereby merchandise may be unloaded by a checker and placed in bags, means defining a second aisle, the entry of which is at the merchandise unloading station, means defining a movable counter between said first aisle and said second aisle, a plurality of means defining bag gripping means spaced above said movable counter for holding said bags in position on said movable counter, said movable counter and one of said bag gripping means being adapted to move in unison to move a filled bag to a bag unloading station, and means connected with the remaining bag gripping means for permitting the remaining bag gripping means to move to a position adjacent said merchandise unloading station without interfering with the one bag gripping means, said arrangement being so constructed and arranged to permit patrons to continuously observe the merchandise unloading station.

5. In a checkout arrangement for a store, means defining a substantially horizontal counter upon which bags may be placed to be filled with merchandise, means defining a bag gripping means, said bag gripping means being seated above said counter and adapted to hold a bag in substantially upright position on said counter while it is being filled, and means for moving said bag gripping means whereby a bag filled with merchandise may be moved substantially horizontally while standing upright on said counter.

6. The arrangement claimed in claim 5 wherein said counter has a movable portion, and means for moving said movable portion in the same direction and in unison with said bag gripping means.

7. The arrangement claimed in claim 5 wherein said bag gripping means comprises arms for gripping a bag, said arm being resilient for gripping a bag, and for releasing said bag when desired.

8. In a checkout arrangement for a store, means defining a counter upon which bags may be placed to be filled with merchandise, means defining a first bag griping means, said bag gripping means being seated above said counter and adapted to hold a bag on said counter while it is being filled, means for moving said bag gripping means whereby a bag filled with merchandise may be moved while on said counter, second bag gripping means, and means for moving said second bag gripping means into position on said counter to receive a bag when said first mentioned bag gripping means is moved.

9. The arrangement claimed in claim 8 wherein said counter has a movable portion, and means for moving said bag gripping means in unison with said movable portion.

10. The arrangement claimed in claim 9 further including means permitting one of said bag gripping means to move to a non-interfering position with respect to the other bag gripping means while the latter moves with said movable portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,193,942 Shackleford Mar. 10, 1940 2,317,438 Bradley Apr. 27, 1943 2,596,686 Hess May 13, 1952 2,604,190 Meyer July 22, 1952 2,884,094 Roy Apr. 28, 1959 

